There was this large bird sitting at the very top of one of the dead branches poking out from the little island at the north end of Jamaica Pond this afternoon. I thought it was a young bald eagle at first, but folks who actually know what they're talking about (both here and on Facebook) said no, that's an osprey.

We've noticed that there is a family of raccoons living in our next door neighbor's attic. They have been seen during daytime although most frequently are out at dusk and night.

There is a major language gap between us and our neighbors, and attempts to discuss it don't really register. Given the state of their house it's quite possible they don't have the means to fix the gaping hole in their eaves from which these raccoons emerge. They keep to themselves and we really only see them when they shovel snow late at night.

I don't typically involve myself in other people's business, but we have a dog and two kids who I honestly don't feel that safe about leaving outside at dusk.

Is this an animal control issue? Is it up to the home owner to remedy the situation? Someone who knows more about the city ordinances and departments who handle this stuff have an idea here?

State Environmental Police tweeted around noon they found the Southie deer and "successfully immobilized it" for transport to a location more suited for deer than N Street. The Herald has a photo of the deer moments before it was immobilized.

Major deer spotted at the Roslindale Wetlands off Weld and Walter streets, near the Arboretum. He's also been spotted at Stony Brook (at the intersection of Washington and the parkway, no less), so don't be too startled if you see this huge woodland creature bounding through your backyard some evening.